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2021 Break Out Awards NORTHEAST SOUTH MIDWEST WEST

CAROLINE THOMPSON Head of underwriting

Cowbell Cyber Inc.

Los Angeles

With her father being a reinsurance broker, entering the insurance industry was a natural choice for Caroline Thompson. The subject of her senior thesis at Providence College was micro insurance, and her internships included time at Lloyd’s of London. She started her insurance career at Beazley PLC, where she developed an interest in cyber underwriting. In 2019, she joined Cowbell, where she recently wrote a policy form for a new product launch.

What’s your top tip for working remotely?

Reach out to employees you don’t normally interact with. We put together a program where we match up people in different departments each week and encourage them to meet for 15 minutes virtually.

What’s your advice on navigating the current insurance market?

We understand that ransomware attacks are on the rise, and more risks are coming in that have a claims history. We are taking a deeper look to see if the company has recovered and put in the correct controls, to get comfortable with that risk. Now is a good time for companies to look at their risks and their cybersecurity safeguards.

What should the industry do to attract more young people to work in it?

Young people are interested in creating efficiency and being more innovative in the approach to risk. More integration of technology will help to attract young people into insurance. We’re getting there.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I used to be a synchronized swimmer and I competed nationally. It was hard work but a great experience.

What’s one habit or hobby you adopted during the pandemic?

Long walks. I hadn’t really explored my neighborhood by foot, so I started doing long walks with some friends in the neighborhood, and I ended up finding all these beautiful staircases in the area. I also picked up tennis — a safe, low- contact activity.